Reoperation following patellectomy for chondromalacia

When primary patellectomy is performed for chondromalacia of the patella and subsequent surgery is required, this indicates failure of the initial procedure. A review of 51 patients having patellectomy for chondromalacia revealed a failure rate of 39% as evidenced by reoperation. Analysis of these cases showed continued extensor mechanism malalignment and/or continued degeneration of the distal femur or soft tissue as the reason for additional surgery. We believe that a careful preand intraoperative evaluation of the extensor mechanism kinematics and articular cartilage status of the distal femur is essential in lowering the failure rate of patellectomy for chondromalacia.